Sarawak football legends kick off Petronas tourney in Kuching

KUCHING (Sept 14): Some participants playing in the Petronas Youth Football Closed Tournament can go on to become the best in Sarawak and Malaysia.

This was the confidence expressed by Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu in the tournament’s potential to unearth talented players.

“We are here tonight to celebrate a meaningful and important sports event for three reasons.

“Firstly, it means that Sarawak and Petronas are inseparable. Secondly, sports is a success for all and, lastly, the people of Sarawak are strong and we are able to win any challenge,” he said at Stadium Negeri here today to launch the tournament.

The Layar assemblyman also urged the young players to embrace the spirit of “Ngap Sayot” to reach greater heights.

“It is in this stadium that our ‘Ngap Sayot’ team won the Malaysia Cup and I hope that one day you can also become champions.

“I would also like to thank the parents who have turned up today to support their children because strong parental support is important for their children to be successful in sports,” he said.

The deputy minister also hoped that a bigger tournament would be organised next year to accommodate older age groups.

Meanwhile, an exhibition match between “Ngap Sayot” legends and “Bujang Senang” legends was held to kick off the tournament from Sept 13 to Nov 16.

Participation in the tournament was by invitation only to 23 football academies and schools from Kuching, Samarahan and Sri Aman. A total of 56 teams will compete in four age categories in the Under 10, U12, U14 and U16.

Also present were MYSED permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick, Petronas Sarawak GM Norazibah Md Rabu, KCFC president Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan and Satok assemblyman Dato Ibrahim Baki cum member of Petronas board of directors.